Vaisakhi History and Holiday

The History of Vaisakhi

The Sikh baptismal ceremony of initiation, Amrit Sanchar, has its beginnings in early April of 1699, on Vaisakhi, the new year festival of ancient Punjab.

Guru Gobind Rai, the tenth guru of the Sikhs, stood sword in hand, and called to a crowd of thousands assembled in the Fort of Kesgar at Anandpur, asking for volunteers willing to give their heads. The five men who stepped forward are known as the five beloved, Panj Pyara:

• Bhai Daya Singh
• Bhai Mukham Singh
• Bhai Sahib Singh
• Bahi Dharam Singh
• Bhai Himmat Singh

The panj pyara knelt inside a tent, over an iron bowl. They stirred its contents with a double edged iron sword. Jeeto Ji, the wife of Guru Gobind Rai, added sugar to sweeten the immortalizing nectar of Amrit. Guru Gobind Rai submitted himself to the Panj Pyara, asking to be initiated, and establishing the Khalsa as an order of initiated Sikhs. The five beloveds performed his baptism, initiating him into the brotherhood of Khalsa Panth. Henceforth, he became known as Guru Gobind Singh, and his wife, Ajit Kaur. The Khalsa initiates of 1699 drank the immortalizing nectar of Amrit to prepare for battle with Moguls who had been forcing local populations by sword point, to convert to Islam.

The Holiday of Vaisakhi

The anniversary of the first Amrit Sanchar is celebrated on Vaisakhi Day, in early April. Sikhs congregate for programs and festive events which take place at Gurdwaras all around the world.

Early morning:

Amrit sanchar, the Sikh initiation ceremony, may take place any time of day that is most convenient. It may begin before several hours before dawn in the Amritvela hours between midnight and 6 am. When held during a Rainsubhai program which goes on all night until dawn, Initiation commences early evening and concludes during Amritvela.

• Sikhs who wish to be baptized present themselves to panj pyara. The ceremony takes several hours. Panj pyara prepare Amrit stirring sugar into a bowl of water while reciting certain prayers. They administer baptismal nectar to initiates in a proscribed manner. Initiates promise not to cut their hair, and to wear keski, kanga, kachhera, kirpan and kara, the articles of faith. They agree to follow the tenants of the Sikh faith.
• A kirtan program may start off the day at dawn at the Gurdwara. Ragis play the harmonium keyboard, and tabla (a kind of drum). They lead the sangat congregation in singing a particular, early morning, set of Asa di Var hymns interspersed with other Shabad, selctions from Siri Guru Granth Sahib. The most popular Kirtan hymns of Vaisakhi, are those which focus on the ceremony of initiation, the drinking of immortalizing Amrit and which commemorate Guru Gobind Singh:
  
  • Har sahcay takat rachaa-iaa sa sangat mayla||
    God has created a true throne in which the holy congregation is significant.
    
  • Nanak nirbho nirna kaar vich sidhaa khalaa||
    God is without form without fear, all are players in his power.
    
  • Gur simar manaa-ee kanday kee vaylaa||
    Remembering who controls birth and death we bring him nigh, it is time to take up the sword.
    
  • Peevo paol khanday dhar hoay janm suhaylaa||
    Drink Amrit to experience rebirth.
    
  • Gur sangat keenee khalsa manmukhee duhaylaa||
    The pure ones belong to God’s congregation, the worldly ones far away.
    
  • Waaho waaho Gobind Singh aapay gur chaylaa||
    Hail, hail, Gobind Singh, he is master and disciple. Bhai Gurdaas 41||1

Midmorning:

In many locations, the sangat, members of the congregation, meet for a Nagar Kirtan procession. Siri Guru Granth sahib is brought out from the Gurdwara and ceremoniously installed atop a float garlanded with flowers and other decorations.

• Panj pyara dressed in saffron robes walk at the head of the parade. They carry swords, and sometimes Nissan Sahib, a flag embellished with the Sikh coat of arms.
• The first float carries The Siri Guru Granth Sahib and attendants.
• Sikh devotees follow on foot, or ride on floats, singing kirtan hymns and playing recordings.
• Performers demonstrate the fighting method of the Sikh martial art, Gatka, with wooden sticks or swords.
• Spectators hand out drinks and snacks in a festive spirit.

Late afternoon:

The procession concludes upon return to the Gurdwara. Siri Guru Granth Sahib is ceremoniously carried inside the Gurdwara. Kirtan programs continue until the close of the day.

• Many members of sangat perform seva, selfless service, preparing Langar in the Guru’s free kitchen, which is available to all of sangat throughout the entire day.